3 x Cold Face Stones for use with Hot Stone Massage (4cm x 1cm) / (1.57 x 0.39 inches) What is Cold or Cryotherapy?Cold stones, whether used alone or in conjunction with hot stones, has been receiving alot of attention these days, as its popularity increase in spas and massage therapist'soffices around the world, and its medical benefits are increasingly realised.Cold therapy, also known as cryotherapy, works on the principle of heat exchange. Thisoccurs when a cooler object is placed in direct contact with an object of warmertemperature, such as ice or cold stones against skin. The cooler object will absorb theheat of the warmer object in an attempt to achieve balance (where both items arevibrating at the same frequency).After a trauma or injury, the tissue and blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to that area is damaged. The cells around the injury increase their metabolism in an effort to consume more oxygen and repair themselves. If and when the oxygen is used up, the cells are at risk of dying. Also, the damaged or constricted blood vessels cannot remove waste. Blood cells and fluid, in an attempt to protect those tissues, seep into theinterstitial spaces in the surrounding area, which results in swelling and bruising. Whenice, or an object of colder temperature is applied, it lowers the temperature of thedamaged tissue through heat exchange and constricts local blood vessels. This slowsmetabolism and the consumption of oxygen, therefore reducing the rate of cell damageand decreasing fluid build-up or swelling. Various stones are effective when used as a cold application, with sedimentary and basalt working well, and marble stones having the greatest effect - but also being the most expensive. Smooth in texture, many of these stones can be used without a traditional lubricant, depending on their mineral state when frozen or iced.The use of cold alone on the body is a powerful decongestant, pushing blood, fluid andwastes out of overworked, chronically tense, or inflamed tissues such as the orbits, where It can help reduce dark circles through placement on the eye area. In this circumstance, it is recommended that a moist pad be placed over the eye / orbit area itself to provide an extra layer of protection, and the cold stones be placed upon it. With this safety measure in place, the conduction of the cold via the water across the pad will help to assure a thorough and even distribution of the application as the soft material conforms to the uneven shape of the treatment area. Cold stones can also be used on the sinus area, or as a pressure placement on post-extraction procedures, where it will help increase microcirculation, metabolism, and elimination thus affecting change on a cellular level, while interrupting the pain-spasm-pain cycle. In cooperation with heated stones, chilled stones create a dramatic movement of fluids within the body, generating a healing, cleansing, and nourishing effect due to the alternate constriction and dilation of the blood Vessels. Cold also generates a toning, or strengthening response to several body systems,most notably the immune system.While cryotherapy can be an effective form of medical treatment in certain circumstances, in massage, cold stones have the advantage over ice, in that stones do not desensitise the skin, as ice can, and should allow soft tissue manipulations and mobilizations to not be taken beyond the client's tolerance via their feedback. With that in mind, careful attention should be given to the client's comfort level and the appearance of the skin, Like heat, cold can cause burns and structural damage that may go unnoticed due to its anaesthetic effect.Some benefits of cold stones: . Dispersal of tissue congestion . Alleviation of swelling • Decreased muscle spasms • Stimulation of the autonomic nervous system • Increased tissue metabolism • Invigoration /energising effect Some applications of cold stones: Orbital decongestion -removal of puffiness or discoloration Sinus decongestion - alleviation of sinus pain Post treatment applications i.e. waxing, dermabrasion, electrolysis, etc. Using both heat and cold in your treatments:Cold stones alternated with hot stones can provide a therapeutic balance, but is not atreatment for everyone. Alternating between heat and cold will cause the blood vessels to alternate between dilation and constriction. The end result of this will be a dramaticincrease in circulation to that area. Ifa client is prone to being cold day to day, or hasmild circulatory problems, it is recommended that the client experience a hot stonemassage only.The combination of hot and cold stones provides therapeutic balance. "Too much heat is depleting, can produce laxity in tissues, and increase inflammation.Americans are just beginning to understand what Europeans have understood forcenturies: the effects of just enough' cold are energising, toning and painreducing," according to Dew.Warm stones soften fascia faster and more deeply than traditional massage therapies while cold stones disperse congestion, alleviate swelling and interrupt muscle spasms.Heated stones increase blood circulation, lymph and digestive fluids and have sedating effects.Cold stones stimulate the autonomic nervous system, increase metabolism and invigorate.General Effects: These effects are typically achieved through full-body immersion baths.
